The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website includes a vast array of resources available to teachers. It can be overwhelming to review and find the resources that are most beneficial to you as a teacher. To make this process easier, this article provides direct links to instructional resources for English and mathematics at all grade levels.
English and Reading Resources
Elementary Reading Early Literacy Instructional Strategies
In this set of 15 videos, teachers demonstrate strategies that can be used in elementary classrooms to promote early literacy skills. The strategies and activities presented in the videos are designed to be used with students in kindergarten through grade three.
Middle School Vocabulary Videos
In this set of video clips, teachers demonstrate strategies and activities that can be used in vocabulary instruction in middle school classrooms. The strategies and activities are not limited to English classes, but may be used for any content area involving vocabulary instruction.
English Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework
This resource comprises the English language arts content that teachers in Virginia are expected to teach and students are expected to learn. The VDOE website includes resources for instruction and assessment of these standards.
Mathematics Resources
Mathematics Instructional Plans (MIPs)
Formerly known as Enhanced Scope and Sequence Lessons, the MIPs are available for grades K-8, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Algebra, Functions, and Data Analysis. These instructional plans include updated 2009 documents, as well as newly developed instructional plans aligned with the 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL). The Mathematics Instructional Plans assist teachers in aligning instruction with the 2016 Mathematics SOLs by providing examples of how the knowledge, skills, and processes found in the SOL and Curriculum Framework can be presented to students in the classroom.
Note: Information regarding the 2016 Mathematics SOLs
- Superintendent’s Memo #043-18 announced a delay in the introduction of state math tests based on the 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning until spring 2019.
- As noted in this Superintendent’s Memo, End-of-Course Mathematics SOL tests administered in the fall of 2018 will continue to assess the 2009 Mathematics Standards of Learning and include field test items measuring the 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning.
Instructional Videos for Teachers
These videos are provided as support for implementation of the 2009 Mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL); they include the following topics:
- Strategies across the strands
- Number and number sense
- Computation and estimation
- Geometry
- Probability and statistics
- Measurement
- Patterns, functions, and algebra
- Additional resources
Mathematics Vocabulary Word Wall Cards
These cards depict mathematics content words and associated visual cues to assist in vocabulary development. The cards are intended to be used as an instructional tool for teachers and then as a reference for all students, particularly English learners and students with disabilities. Vocabulary word wall cards may be modified to address the unique instructional needs of both teachers and students.
Additional Resources
Language and Culture Resources for Educators
In this set of four videos, Dr. Charity-Hudley provides an overview of language and culture with a special focus on linguistic and cultural variations in Virginia schools. Specifically, Dr. Charity-Hudley discusses why some populations of linguistically and culturally diverse students have persistent difficulty achieving in schools.
In a second set of four videos, Dr. Charity-Hudley helps educators recognize linguistic variation in speech and writing. These videos feature specific examples of how language variation impacts reading achievement based on research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV).
TeacherDirect was designed by VDOE to establish a direct line of communication with classroom teachers and educators. The specific goal is to provide a way to share new instructional resources created by VDOE staff as well as make teachers aware of professional development and grant opportunities, and other information of special interest to teachers and their students. Teachers who subscribe to TeacherDirect receive weekly electronic newsletters.
This article highlighted a few of the many English and mathematics instructional resources that may be found on VDOE’s website. In the next edition of Link Lines, we will highlight self-determination resources and tools found on the VDOE-sponsored I’m Determined website.